If you find yourself in the lucky-duck camp of people who actually get a refund after tax day, keep it to yourself. The last thing you want to do is make your friends jealous with your newfound riches.
That's why leaving the area on vacation is the ideal solution.
Travel website Hipmunk takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect place to spend that refund with its list of 20 trips to take right now.
The impetus behind the list is that day we all dread every year, this one taking place on Tuesday, April 18. It's the day we feel as if we are headed off to the financial gallows, even if we expect some sort of return.
So it's understandable that you leave your tax guy or gal feeling like the center of a ticker-tape parade if you get some money back.
As Hipmunk explains, the average return is a rather handsome one at that: "According to the IRS, 83 percent of tax returns result in a refund, the average of which is $3,120."
[READMORE]READ MORE: Should Taxpayer Money Pay for Tourism Marketing [/READMORE]
That $3,120 is the magic number. It's what Hipmunk used as the absolute maximum for a hypothetical trip to wash away those 1040 and W-2 blues of yours.
Many of its trips are far less than that mark, with its No. 1 suggestion, a trip to Cuba, coming in at just $582.
That is the total of an average flight ($350) and a three-night hotel stay ($232). After that, it's up to you how much you plan on spending for extracurricular activities.
Hipmunk also suggests Panama City (Panama), Banff (Alberta), Moab (Utah) and Madrid (Spain) to round out an eclectic top five.
Outside of this breakdown of star-studded locations, there are hotels and restaurants that are eager to turn your tax-day frown upside down. Travel Pulse's Charu Suri has offered six awesome deals around the nation that will go a long way to placating even those who owe money.
For example, the Fairmont Chicago is offering 20 percent off flexible rates as well as a complimentary room upgrade. If you are in Vegas and down from Uncle Sam's bill, you can throw another $250 at a "tax relief package" at the M Resort. This includes a massage, facial and pedicure.
At least you will look like a person who isn't down hundreds to the government.
Back at Hipmunk, there are a wide variety of possibilities, which should convince you that one of the best ways to spend that refund is to bank some amazing travel memories.
Now the hard part is deciding among such awesome locales as Edinburgh, Tokyo and Reykjavik.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
